Ted Turner Fast Facts

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Photos:Ted Turner, a life in photos

Robert Edward "Ted" Turner III was born November 19, 1938, in Cincinnati. Turner, the media mogul who founded CNN and Turner Broadcasting System, celebrated his 76th birthday in November.

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Photos:Ted Turner, a life in photos

Turner, seen here with his father at approximately 2 years old, was born to Florence and Robert Edward "Ed" Turner II. Turner's father ran a billboard advertising business.

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Photos:Ted Turner, a life in photos

Turner spent time in the U.S. Coast Guard after he left Brown University. He attended the school, in Providence, Rhode Island, from 1957-1960.

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Photos:Ted Turner, a life in photos

Turner married Judy Nye in 1960. The two had two children together -- Laura and Robert Edward IV -- before divorcing a few years later.

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Photos:Ted Turner, a life in photos

Turner with his father, Ed, on his wedding day. Ed Turner committed suicide three years later, in March 1963.

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Photos:Ted Turner, a life in photos

After his father's suicide, Turner took over the family business, Turner Advertising Co.

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Photos:Ted Turner, a life in photos

Turner remarried in 1964, to Jane "Janie" Smith. The two had three children together -- Beau, Rhett and Jennie -- and were married for more than 20 years.

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Photos:Ted Turner, a life in photos

Turner's five children when they were young: From left, Rhett, Beau, Jennie, Laura and Teddy.

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Photos:Ted Turner, a life in photos

Turner won the America's Cup, a prestigious sailing competition, in 1977. His racing yacht was named "Courageous," emblazoned on his sweater.

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Photos:Ted Turner, a life in photos

Turner bows after winning the 1977 America's Cup.

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Photos:Ted Turner, a life in photos

Turner at an America's Cup news conference.

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Photos:Ted Turner, a life in photos

Turner stands next to Atlanta Hawks star Tom McMillen before an NBA game at the Omni Coliseum in Atlanta in March 1982. Turner bought the Hawks in the same year he won the America's Cup. It became his second professional sports team; in 1976, he had purchased the Atlanta Braves baseball team.

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Photos:Ted Turner, a life in photos

On June 1, 1980, Turner launched CNN, the first 24-hour, all-news cable network.

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Photos:Ted Turner, a life in photos

Turner, right, talks on the set of an early CNN broadcast.

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Photos:Ted Turner, a life in photos

Turner at his desk in 1985.

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Photos:Ted Turner, a life in photos

Turner created the Goodwill Games, an international sports competition similar to the Olympics, in 1986. The first games took place in Moscow. After that, the event was held every few years until ending in 2001.

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Photos:Ted Turner, a life in photos

In 1987, Turner acquired all television rights to the classic film "Gone With the Wind."

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Photos:Ted Turner, a life in photos

Turner talks with former U.S. President Jimmy Carter in 1989.

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Photos:Ted Turner, a life in photos

A few years after divorcing his second wife, Turner married actress Jane Fonda in 1991.

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Photos:Ted Turner, a life in photos

Turner and Fonda take in a Braves game.

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Photos:Ted Turner, a life in photos

Turner was named Time magazine's "Man of the Year" in 1991.

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Photos:Ted Turner, a life in photos

With help from Fred Flintstone and Yogi Bear, Turner launches the Cartoon Network on October 1, 1992.

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Photos:Ted Turner, a life in photos

Turner talks to a reporter after the Braves won the World Series in 1995.

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Photos:Ted Turner, a life in photos

Turner hoists the Commissioner's Trophy after the Braves' triumph.

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Photos:Ted Turner, a life in photos

In 1996, Turner sold his company to Time Warner for $7.34 billion. He became vice chairman after the merger.

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Photos:Ted Turner, a life in photos

Turner gave the U.S. government $31 million to pay off a debt to the United Nations in 2001. Years earlier, Turner had donated $1 billion to the United Nations.

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Photos:Ted Turner, a life in photos

Turner speaks at United Nations headquarters in December 2002. One month later, he resigned as vice chairman from AOL Time Warner Inc.

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Photos:Ted Turner, a life in photos

Turner waits for his cameo in the 2003 film "Gods and Generals." He also financed the film, which was set during the Civil War.

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Photos:Ted Turner, a life in photos

Turner walks the runway during the Dressed to Kilt charity event in 2005.

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Photos:Ted Turner, a life in photos

Turner in his Atlanta office in 2007.

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Turner tours Atlanta's CNN Center in 2010.

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Photos:Ted Turner, a life in photos

Turner at his Flying D ranch in Montana in 2011.

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Photos:Ted Turner, a life in photos

Turner was honored in Atlanta on July 21 for his contributions to the city and the world of news. A few blocks from CNN Center, Spring Street was renamed Ted Turner Drive.

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(CNN)Here's a look at philanthropist and environmentalist Ted Turner, founder of CNN and Turner Broadcasting System.

1970 - After turning the family business around and renaming it the Turner Communications Group, Turner purchases two independent UHF stations, in Atlanta and Charlotte, North Carolina, and names them WTCG and WRET, after his company and himself.

March 7, 2014 - Turner's spokesman says Turner has been hospitalized for observation while traveling in South America. Turner later releases a statement saying he underwent a minor procedure due to appendicitis.

2015 - Turner makes his final payment to the United Nations and fulfills the $1 billion pledge he made in 1997.

September 28, 2015 - Turner receives the News and Documentary Emmy award for lifetime achievement during a ceremony in New York.